Protecting What's His Novels & Stories

“Why doesn’t he stop playing with them?” I’m surprised when I hear his response. “I’m protecting them.” He whispers. “I won’t stop protecting them.” I smile lightly as Madilyn cocks her head at his response. I must admit that I’m quite shocked as well.

“Peace? Look around, brother. There’s no peace left in this world not for her, not for any of us.” I turned my gaze to him then, meeting his eyes. “You think I don’t know that?” “Then why are you hiding it?” “Because,” I said, voice low, “it’s all getting too much, I'm trying to protect her.” He tilted his head, studying me the way he always did when he thought I was being too careful. “You’re not protecting her,” he said quietly. “You’re protecting yourself.” My stomach tightened. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

"But because I am trying to protect you my love. I do not wish anything to cause you harm, nor for anything to threaten your life. You are my gift, my constellation, my gorgeous bride. It frightens me, the very thought of loosing you" He finishes up my bandages, picking my hands he begins to press kisses all over my bandages. "Please believe me my love. The truth will hurt you, put your life at risk and I love you too much to let it happen" he caresses my hand, eyes casted low like he was not worthy enough to gaze into my eyes. I cup his cheeks with my bandages clad palms, giving him a pointed look "What are you protecting me from?" He stops, his eyes scanning mine, the wheels in his brain t

When you let me writhe on the floor while you drank wine with her? "When you drained my ichor and spat your worst at me—was that love?" Every word hit like a knife, slicing through whatever hope he had left. "No!" He shook his head, face a mess of tears and snot. "I was stupid—jealous—I didn't want you to die, I just—" "Save it." I cut him off. "I kept my vow. I protected your family for two centuries. "You destroyed it with your own hands. "We're done. Debt's paid."

"Not in the language of strategy. Just say it." A pause that felt like something being stripped of its usual protection. "Control," he said. "Mine, over this situation and over what happens to you within it." I held that. "And what do I receive in exchange for that?" "Protection," he said. "From Victor Hale and whoever is operating behind him." "From everything that is currently oriented toward using you," he said, and he said it in a way that made it slightly more than the exchange I had been framing it as, slightly more personal in its construction.

My feet shuddered and for a moment of euphoria, I swore that the stones themselves commemorated the return of that lost soul. "I never thought that the gates of hell would be so unprotected," I spoke with a slightly debauched smile. My lips seemed extremely dry there, and I felt desperate for a sip of water as soon as I spent saliva to talk. Vraxlon didn't have any fun in his eyes when he spoke again. "And who said they are unprotected? "He indicated with a slight arch of eyebrows on my back, and as soon as I turned around, I choked. "This is your pet, Your Majesty. Cerberus, the protector of your gates.” Pet was kind. It was nice.

“Nothing I can’t handle.” He looked like he wanted to argue. Instead, he stepped closer. Eyes steady. “I didn’t just say what I said for show,” he said quietly. “You're mine to protect now. No one touches what’s mine.”

For me. Something changed in his face. Not much. Anyone else would have missed it. I didn't. His breathing slowed. His gaze dropped briefly to my mouth before returning to my eyes. You have no idea what you're asking. I think I do. My voice came out quieter than intended. You keep telling me you're here to protect me. I'm asking you to protect me from being watched for one night.

Firm. “With my life,” he says. “I swear it.” “Not just to me,” I murmur. “To her.” He tilts his head slightly toward the greenhouse, where her silhouette flickers through the glass, drawing another circle of protection. “To her.” I hold his gaze. “If anything happens...” “It won’t,” he growls. “Not while I breathe.” I believe him.

"The Sovereign is focusing all my processing power on the pregnancy. I’m... I’m going offline." He didn't hesitate. He scooped me up into his arms, his hold so tight I could barely breathe. It was that obsessive, suffocating protection I had grown to love and fear in equal measure. "I don't care if you go offline," he hissed, his eyes scanning the darkening sky for drones. "I am the Shield. I am the only firewall you need. I will burn every city on this map before I let them touch either of you."